Having tested the market for two years, 1951 would be the year when the first two permanently established cruises would be instituted. The first was the “World Cruise” and the other the “North Cape Cruise”. Until 1955 long cruises in the first 4 months of the year with various itineraries were tried, but from that year on, the Caronia Great World Cruise became an institution!

Over the next few years, the Spring, Summer and Autumn Mediterranean Cruises would be also added as regular events, when the political situation in the Middle East didn't intervene. Eventually, virtually all of Caronia's transatlantic crossings (her “other” job) would be for positioning only.

All of her cruises would establish a regular clientèle, with many passengers returning year after year. The world of the “floating Country Club” had been a marketing triumph for Cunard and Caronia's future as a major dollar-earner looked to be assured.

The only setback being when the eventual bookings for this first Round the World Cruise only half-filled the ship. Security worries over the Korean War meant that the Sandringham Restaurant was closed for the duration, and many crew were sent home from New York on the Queen Mary. This after Caronia had completed a very successful Christmas / New Year cruise to the West Indies.

Maiden Honolulu Arrival

Caronia's maiden Hawaiian arrival, view over foredeck with Aloha Tower ahead

From this photograph it's possible to tell what time it was taken and there's myriad details to point out. When the ship was docking, the prow area and the side closest to the pier was out of bounds to anyone not involved. So with a gathering of ratings on the port side conforming, the time is around 6.10am.

Aft of the deckhouse, nearest the camera, is the stage used for the Crossing the Line ceremony only days before. Note the sturdiness and professionalism with which it is built.

What's curious about this is that the crew swimming pool was only ever intended to be a temporary structure! While some may have seen the passenger pool as sacrosanct for such events, in reality the better viewing stage for everyone was always the crew pool.

What's also in view are the two spotlights set into the roof of the deckhouse. Of course, this was 1950s technology, so the very bright light these lamps produced also came with a lot of heat.

From down below, we could always tell when the lights were on because of the din their cooling-fans made. This was unavoidable due to them being in a metal box, acting as a big echo-chamber. You can see from the respective vents their motors were industrial.

Each light had its own cover and the vents had sliding covers to make the deckhouse weather-proof. Beyond the doors was a wide “crew ladder”; in other words, a wide stairway up from the deck below to allow for quick evacuation in an emergency. Around 400 souls living below would depend on this!

The final detail is that while the central flag line, the one used as part of “dressing overall”, is invisible in this shot, we can clearly see the two radio aerials that flank it on either side. Their lower tethers are well clear of accidental access by people. They're rarely seen or noticed in photographs.

The 1951 Virtual World Cruise

One of the very first special features added to the Timeline was the Virtual World Cruise of 1951, where the day-to-day information usually found on these daily activity pages has been recorded. Those pages carry much greater detail about shore arrangements, potted histories and are illustrated with interesting period photographs.

Some of that information would normally be recorded on this page, but instead Link Buttons, like the one above, will take you to the relevant day page. This Virtual Cruise will enable you to make comparisons between then and now. Don't miss out!

If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…

Embarkation for 1st World Cruise from 7pm

Caronia was the first liner in the post-war era to undertake a globe-circling cruise. From the programme cards, due to the low passenger count, it appears only the Balmoral Restaurant was in operation.

Depart New York 11:58pm
At Sea
Start of first Round the World Cruise

Steaming South New York to Cristóbal

Crew Complement

06 January 1951

Deck Dept

136

Engineers Dept

 95

Catering Dept

365

Total

596 (including Master)

• 06 January 1951 Crew Manifest transcript

05/06 January

Transit Panama Canal PM

Arrive Balboa 7.34pm

10-13 January

14-16 January

23/24 January